I need to correct some misinformation I posted about cuben fiber (CTF3). I purchased a bunch of it, made a tarp, did some testing of bonding materials, and offered lots of advice and conjecture about it. When I first wrote about the different types available, I wanted to refer to the stuff I had by the correct name, so I looked on the Cubic Tech web site for their product specs. I "knew" the stuff I had was 1/2 oz per square yard, so I picked out CT1K.08, which is 17.4 grams per square meter.

17.4 g = 0.613766 oz and 1 Square Meter = 1.19599004630108 Square Yards, so I divided 0.613766 by 1.19599004630108 and got .513186545 ounces per square yard. I figured that must be what I was using.

The other day I was sorting through old invoices for gear DIY materials (which I will never have the courage to add up) and found my Cubic Tech invoice, which said, "You dummy, you bought CT0.6K08, not CT1K.08!" (or words to that effect).

Hence, all the advice I dispensed was based on the wrong material. The good news is that CTF3 (aka "cuben") is actually a bit stronger than I gave it credit for. CT0.6K.08 has a warp break strength of 60 lbs./inch, whereas CT1K.08 has a warp break strength of 68 lbs./inch. CT0.6K.08 is a bit lighter, at .465997 ounces per square yard.

Apologies to all those I inadvertently misinformed, especially Fin, who is out there on the AT with stuff bags that only have 60 lbs./inch warp break strength.

More possible good news, though, is that my 9' x 11' tarp of CT0.6K.08 is just as strong as the CT1K.08 tarp I thought I had, which is pretty tough.